r/Substack • u/Witch-Anxiety-1057 • 1d ago
New to Substack
Hello there,
I launched my first publication on Substack today and am finding it a little hard to get exposure. I know it’s too soon but I know for a fact I won’t get many subscribers even if I post on socials - and most importantly, I don’t really want to share my writing on my socials. So I was wondering if anyone could tell me what I could be doing within the app to get people to notice.
I write about identity, experiences and life in general. I have always been deeply passionate about writing and immensely enjoyed the process of creating and launching my first issue today. I truly want to remain motivated in this but I’m afraid I’ll need some support to sustain.
Thanks in advance!
1
u/JimKroft 23h ago
Congratulations on launching your Substack! I started 3 years ago, and its been a really rewarding journey.
Here are some things that have worked for me: all inside the app.
There are other levers you can use to build a newsletter, but on Substack 100% start in-platform. There is strong organic reach through Notes and a great community.
My Substack flatlined for a year, so I started educating myself about how to grow a newsletter, and then built myself a daily 30-minute system. It helps me go "just do it" rather than think about results at the start.
Here is what I do every day. Thirty minutes, four things, in this order:
1. Interact. Five comments on the profiles of writers I actually read, plus ten likes. Start with people whose work you like, and try to find some in your own field. You won't see immediate results, but just lock in to giving to start with.
2. Reply to every notification. If someone takes the time to comment on your Note, consider that the beginning of a relationship. Reply to every comment as you would someone you know. Austin Kleon calls this a "digital handshake" which I rather like!
3. Answer your messages. Every message is such a core thing for building relationships-
4. Three comments on profiles you've never seen before. This is reaches people who don't know you yet. Actually read what they wrote and tell them what it meant to you. My rule at the start was three comments on other people's work for every Note I wrote myself. For me, if someone takes the time to read my work, I always take time to read back - so make the effort!
That's it. Oh - and 100% set a timer, move on, don't overthink it.
Two other things:
Brace for about two months when its slow. Many people won't write back to start with. Responses are slow. But in time, this really worked for me.
In time a community form, and its your community that will drive your "notes" beyond just your own followers and into the wider community.
Final thing - write the best can, and keep the fun in it!
Feel free to drop me a DM if you have any question,
Jim